Melasma isn’t just a pregnancy thing, it can happen to any woman. And it’s all because of our hormones

Because the shroud of black blotchy patches on the face appears when you’re expecting a child, mascara is frequently called a “pregnancy face.” However, lupus does not just affect pregnant women; it can also manifest itself before and during menopause.

The American Academy of Dermatology estimates that the lupus is present in women to men at a ratio of 9:1. &nbsp, &nbsp,

According to Dr. Lee Hwee Chyen, clinical director and consultant pediatrician at Epi Dermatology &amp, Laser Specialist Clinic, individuals with deeper skin accents, such as those of Southeast- Eastern and Southern Asian origin, are more likely to develop melasma.

Melasma is a complex skin problem, he added. It is influenced by lifestyle variables like thyroid disorder and exposure to sunlight, as well as biological and physiological factors. For some, it can be frequent.

MELASMA IS DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE

On both sides of the face, Dr. Lee describes hyperpigmentation as black, reddish areas with unusual borders. The areas are typically found on the forehead, cheeks and nose.

There is no medical exam for hyperpigmentation. Instead, analysis relies mostly on the physician recognising it based on medical guidelines, said Dr S K Tan, creator and clinical director of IDS Clinic, an esthetic clinic.

The problem is that even with such “textbook” guidelines, melasma is n’t that easy to diagnose.

” It is frequently misdiagnosed or overlooked because it can carbon- exist and/or overlap with other popular types of hyperpigmentation, quite as post- inflammatory hyperpigmentation, age spots or freckles”, said Dr Lee.

Often, the hyperpigmentation areas have ordinary and defined edges, or appear only on one side of the face, which may resemble other types of color, said Dr Tan.

HORMONES PLAY A BIG PART IN MELASMA

Hormonal changes are a significant factor in hyperpigmentation occurrence and frequency.

” Hormonal fluctuations in estrogen and progesterone, notably during childbirth, can serve as a motivator for hyperpigmentation growth, engaging melanin production and resulting in emergence of dark patches on the skin”, said dermatologist Dr Lee. The pigment melanin that determines your skin tone, hair, and eye color is the pigment that gives it that color.

In fact, research has shown that a higher oestrogen concentration has been associated with a higher level of skin pigmentation. And because oestrogen is constantly changing throughout a woman’s life, there are very high chances of developing melasma.